Thursday, March 29, 2007

This is the first race in the Northern Nevada Cup Series. An XC course with 6.1 miles loop with Pro/Semi-pro & Expert riders 3 laps, Sport riders 2 laps, Beginners riders 1 lap, and Junior riders ½ lap. Course with some climbing over jeep trails and extreme drops over single track.

More details, including registration, maps and pictures, available at their website.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

"Five more days until Boggs II 8 Hour XC Race, and over 150 participants have registered for the event. It's raining right now in Boggs State Demonstration Forest, and the weather forecast is calling for Saturday to be reaching into the 70's. After two days of showers and then two more days of warm weather you guys are going to be witness to the best conditions that Boggs has to offer. So I have some important notes!

Online registration closes WednesdayYou can register for Boggs II online until Wednesday evening, after which time the form will no longer be available. However you may still register the night before the race if you show up Friday between 5:00pm and 10:00pm. On-site registration is $50.

Friday Night Sign-InIf you are already registered for the event you can sign in and pick up your swag bags with race numbers, etc. Friday night before the race between 5:00pm and 10:00pm. Sign-in is open Saturday morning between 7:00am and 8:00am. THIS IS A SHORT WINDOW so please try to get signed in as early as possible. SIGN-IN IS MANDATORY FOR ALL RIDERS

DIRECTIONSDirections are available online from the Boggs II Registration web site or from the following link to Google Maps: DIRECTIONS

PLEDGESOne last reminder that with just a few days left it's still not too late to drum up a few pledges and do some seriously great work for the Sonoma County Bicycle Coaltion and the Sonoma County Trails Council - two organizations that are doing seriously great work for people a lot further away than just Sonoma County. These two organizations are serving as models for others to follow in their approach to solutions for reall issues with rapidly growing population in areas where recreational and riding opportunities exist. There is a limited amount of funding that will go to these organizations just through your registration for the event. But if you go out and raise a few extra $$ not only are you giving back to organizations that have made your riding opportunities a reality - you have a chance of winning some sweet gear, tents, mountain bikes, and the whole shebang (whatever that is)

"I came to my first Billy Cross race several years ago after hearing about it from a friend. News about the event seemed to flourish by word of mouth. Today a few quick searches on the Internet reveals numerous stories of memorable laps belted out in the heat of summer. It was about a lot more than just the utterly sick 5-mile course that Ken Goldie helped to maintain.

Ken did a good thing with these races. It was simple fun - you showed up, you raced, you went home. He also did something else with Billy Cross - he unknowingly introduced us to a continuation of 'Grass-Roots Racing'. For me he planted a seed for what racing should be.

The "hand-built" sensation that Ken delivered with this race course is something that cannot be duplicated. But for the years of hard work and effort that he poured into them we want to start 2007 with an honorary event series to carry on with simple, down-to-earth grassy racing in Sonoma County."

The races will consist of one (beginner) to four (expert) laps of the 5 miles course and they start at 10 AM every fourth Saturday of the summer months. Full series details are available at their website, listed below.

From the article, "Organizers announced the 2007 Nevada Cup series, which will determined the northern Nevada state mountain bike champions. Brent Hart of Reno Wheelman spoke about the series, "These courses were specifically chosen to challenge the advanced riders and at the same time allow beginning riders to feel comfortable to compete."

Series standing will be based on the total accumulated points from the series. In the event of a tie, the racer's place in the Series final race (Sky Tavern) will determine the final standing. In addition, the top 15 riders in each category/(age) class in each race will qualify for the US National Championships in Mt Snow, VT July 17-22, 2007. The Sky Tavern Classic qualifies for the 2008 USA National Championships.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

TRUCKEE, Calif. – March 26, 2007 – After a one-year hiatus, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s mountain bike park, the largest in Northern California, will reopen this summer offering five new trail segments, two full new trails, increased lift access with the addition of the Tahoe Zephyr Express, a new jump park, skills development areas, LiveWire, the resort’s first signature trail, and much more.

This year, with the addition of the new Tahoe Zephyr Express six-person express chairlift, riders will benefit from the resort’s ability to provide more uphill capacity than ever before. Providing access to more than 100 miles of trails, the Gondola Express, Vista Express and Tahoe Zephyr Express chairlifts make it easy for riders to experience the technical downhill and freestyle features they crave ...

... LiveWire, Northstar Resort’s first signature trail is scheduled to open mid-summer, permits pending, and will maintain an average of six feet in width, feature a grade ranging between 6 and 9 percent, and will be 1.5 miles long. The trail boasts tabletops and large berms throughout the course of the run, and will be the first fully irrigated mountain bike trail at the resort, helping to prevent dust clouds from erupting as riders make their way down.

New this year, Northstar Resort will also introduce Skills Development Areas, allowing those who want to get started with log and ladder rides to learn in less intimidating fashion as the features are much closer to the ground. A new jump park located at mid-mountain between the bases of the Vista Express and Tahoe Zephyr Express chairlifts will also provide riders with an opportunity to practice their latest tricks.

Northstar Resort’s Mountain Bike Park is scheduled to open for the summer season on June 29, 2007, and is scheduled to be open daily, weather and conditions permitting, through September 3 and Friday-Sunday until October 7. Daily operating hours will be 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m...

...For those with a competitive edge, Northstar Resort will again host the Downhill Race Series and the Cross-Country Race Series this summer, open to riders of all ages. Race dates and additional information can be found online at NorthstarAtTahoe.com.

At the heart of bike remains the famous SPT (Sling Power Technology) – an energy returning system which utilizes a composite flex board, stainless cable down tube and spring to provide the rider with un-matched performance and comfort. On the patented Fold-Tech MTB, a quick release “grenade pin” allows the cable to be removed – and prepares the bike for final folding. The frames pivot style collar sits over the seat tube – and upon removal of just one bolt – the collar (and attached front end of the bike) can swivel around itself into the compact folded position.

Consumers can select from four standard Fold-Tech stock bike kits – or request a custom parts build kit which will better suit rider preference. “The Fold-Tech frame remains the same regardless of the parts kit used to build the bike” said Joppe. “Our complete bike price range is $1,150 for our novice build – to $4,100 for our high-performance pro build. This allows the user to advance as a rider – giving the flexibility to upgrade parts as needed, without having to replace the frame”.

US Cycling has announced the 2007 and 2008 National Championship site for Marathon:

The “Firecracker 50” in Breckenridge, Colo. on July 4 has been designated as the 2007 and 2008 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships, the national governing body announced today.

The Fourth of July event will host national championship races for men and women in several marathon categories ... Entering its seventh year, The Firecracker 50 will also host several other non-National Championship mountain bike races for junior, beginner, sport and expert divisions for individuals and teams. A complete schedule of events and categories will be available soon at www.mavsports.com.

Competitors will ride two laps of a 25-mile loop and the event’s neutral start will once again be incorporated into the town’s Fourth of July parade on Main Street before venturing off road.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

The 2007 Skyline Park MTB race in Napa, CA has been scheduled for May 20th, 2007. Although no updated details for the 2007 race are posted, they should be similar to 2006 specifics. Last year's details were as follows: The race, held on the former World Cup venue, benefits the Skyline Park trail system and the NorCal High School Mountain Bike League. The course is described as "A fun, demanding and challenging course. 8 miles & 1600 feet of climb per lap (subject to change) 80% single track. Uses parts of the 1999 World Cup course. Number of laps to be determined by category. Pro/Semi-pro/Expert 3 laps, Sport 2 laps, and Beginner/Junior 1 lap."

Saturday, March 17, 2007

As per their normal communications style, USA Cycling has posted a terse press release about UCI eligibility:

With the upcoming 2007 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season on the horizon, Competitors intending to compete in the Cross Country, 4-Cross and/or Downhill categories are reminded of the UCI regulations that govern who is eligible to participate. According to the UCI, athletes must meet one of the following criteria:

Have a minimum of 20 UCI points for the individual UCI Mountain Bike classification as of December 31 of the previous year (2006) for the format in question.(XC, DH, 4X).

Obtain, during the current season, a minimum of 20 UCI points in the classification applicable for the qualification in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event in which the rider wishes to participate.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

The film examines the roots of the Marin access conflict, and takes a look at the sometimes controversial solutions that are being applied to the present-day situation. Perspectives range from mountain bike pioneers Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly and Wende Cragg to hiking advocates from the Sierra Club and Tamalpais Conservation Club. The Marin conflict is a local story with a universal theme, as hikers and bikers struggle to coexist in all corners of the world.

Singletrack MINDS is was produced and directed by Wendy Todd and Jason Watkins. They are in the process of entering the film in various festivals, and look forward to having their documentary shown in theaters, in front of hiking and biking enthusiasts. In the meantime, they are sending out DVD copies to be used as educational tools for various groups dealing with trail access issues. Copies are free, but they are asking that the requester cover shipping charges. You may request a copy and view the trailer at their website:www.poisonoakproductions.com.